WICPA CPE & Special Event Catalog
Acquisitions for Business Growth: Strategy, Integration & Due Diligence 26-27
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Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
Mergers, acquisitions and alliances have been — and will continue to be — major avenues to organizational growth and increased competitive advantage. Yet, despite the great initial promise of many business mergers and alliances, few seem to yield the anticipated results. Numerous studies indicate that between 55% and 77% of mergers fail to accomplish their intended purpose. This course helps CFOs, controllers and their advisors identify, negotiate and consummate mergers and acquisitions that create shareholder value while avoiding the many traps that can cause post-acquisition failure.
How Fraud Can Affect Smaller Organizations 26-27
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Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $175
Small to medium-sized companies often fail to address fraud-related risks adequately. Often, organizations lack the resources needed to mitigate this risk. In other cases, owners or senior management underestimate the scope of the issue. Regardless of size, all organizations must be aware of the risks associated with intentional fraud. We'll explore why fraud occurs, examining defalcations often used against smaller entities. Then, review measures that organizations can implement to increase security and stop fraud.
K2's Improving Productivity With Microsoft 365 Cloud Tools 26-27
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Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $175
Isn't it time you learned how to unlock the full potential of Microsoft 365 and take advantage of critical features available in your Microsoft 365 subscription" In this session, you will learn to use tools such as Teams, Planner, Power Automate and others to enhance productivity and efficiency.
Federal Tax Update: Individuals (Form 1040)
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Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $300
With the increasing complexity & ever-changing nature of tax laws & issues, today's accountant needs a one-day update course focusing on individual income tax issues with an emphasis of newly enacted income tax legislation. This comprehensive class will not only review the current Federal individual income tax laws but will also update tax return preparers of new tax forms, changes to existing tax forms, as well as tax planning opportunities & pitfalls. This is a "must-attend" course for all tax practitioners who want to be up to speed quickly & have a successful Federal individual income tax filing season. Please Note: If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab & submit to terri.storer@acpen.com
Integrate ChatGPT into Your Client Advisory Services-Updated
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
Two of the hottest topics in the CPA profession today are CAS (client advisory services) and ChatGPT. This course will explain how to bring these two worlds together by integrating ChatGPT and other generative AI applications into your client advisory services. John Higgins, a leading advisor to the profession on ChatGPT and a seasoned client advisor on technology based solutions, will show you how you can position your firm and yourself as a "go to" advisor on how to embrace this technology in virtually any type of business. John will address how to use this technology as a research and writing assistant in your client services and how to advise your clients on this revolutionary technology and all benefits and "gotchas" that come with it. If you want to step up your advisory game, this course is a "must take." This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Tax Implications of Retirement Plan Distributions
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Online
1.00 Credits
Member Price: $55
This session will address the complex rules of retirement distributions, review key provisions of the SECURE Act 2.0 and provide practical strategies of maximizing tax benefits for your client. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Sarbanes-Oxley 20 years later: Sourcing Emerging Risks Part II
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Online
1.80 Credits
Member Price: $79
It would be amiss to not recognize that the passage of time has changed our world. Think of various events such as economic change, technological evolution, the pandemic etc. These are just a few of the changes that may have impacted the manner in which we execute some of the processes outlined in the SOX legislation. In this segment we will focus on sourcing of emerging risks by utilizing to COSO principles.
The AB5s of Employees & Independent Contractors
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
This course explores the tests used to determine whether a worker is properly characterized as an employee or an independent contractor for tax purposes, with a focus on the cost of getting it wrong & possible Section 530 relief. The game changing impact of the Dynamex case & AB5 will also be discussed. Please Note: If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab & submit to terri.storer@acpen.com
Budget Mastery: Walkthroughs & Real World Calculations Towards Tying Budgets To Value
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
This session takes a unique review of the fundamental budget issues faced by all & walks through a detailed modeling process intended to generate discussion & best practices to improve your organization's financial modeling. From the beginning of the accounting process: 'the chart of accounts' to the end of the process: 'the valuation of the company', the budgeting cycle via a live case model to learn best practices common to successful companies. This course stands on its own but is part two of a four part budget mastery series.
Criminal Tax: How CPAs Bring Value to Defense Attorneys
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
CPAs can be requested to assist attorneys in litigation support in criminal proceedings. For criminal tax cases, the IRS has recommended prosecution. However, the rules and stakes are different than a simple civil audit. This presentation will focus on how to assist defense attorneys in calculating tax loss, asking the right questions and probe possible weaknesses in criminal tax investigations. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Estimates, Contingencies & Going Concern
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
This course covers a broad range of topics involving uncertainty in accounting & auditing. It addresses accounting standards related to going concern, contingencies, guarantees & credit losses, along with auditing standards applicable to auditing accounting estimates & evaluating going concern. The course provides a practical overview of how these areas are addressed under current standards & how they impact financial reporting & audit procedures. Jeff presents the material in an engaging manner to reinforce key concepts & maintain focus.
Rethinking Your Customers to Maximize Profitability: Identifying the Right Clients
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
Some customers are unprofitable From an economic or time perspective: but many organizations do not differentiate or know the difference. When an organization has a unique, well-differentiated service or product, understanding value From the customer's perspective becomes a crucial factor in profitable pricing. We must take the time to fully understand what our customers value: From the customer's point of view. What is value? Why do brand, value & customer focus matter? Developing a deep understanding of our customers is vital. Our most important customer might be someone we have not yet recognized. Understanding both external clients & internal stakeholders: including the evolving role of the finance department, is critical to long-term success. Using humorous video clips, memes & vetted research, your understanding of customer bases will improve.
K2’s Securing Your Data: Practical Tools For Protecting Information
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Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $149
In today's digital landscape, security is non-negotiable. Yesterday's techniques cannot keep up with today's threats. It's time to elevate your knowledge & protect your sensitive data with our comprehensive security program. Join us to discover the latest tools & techniques for securing your data, including encryption, virus protection, safe communications, electronic signatures, secure authentication & more. You'll also learn how to implement a practical, five-step approach to securing your PC & the critical questions to ask your staff to ensure server-based information remains protected. Security failures, such as client or customer data breaches, can be devastating & even drive your company out of business. So, what security tools do you need & how should you use them to safeguard your sensitive data & systems? Can you afford to manage today's threats with outdated techniques? Participate in this valuable session to learn how to identify viable & practical solutions to mitigate today's security threats. Don't miss this opportunity to fortify your defenses & ensure your business's success. Sign up now & take the first step towards a more secure future!
Form 1040 Individual Income Tax Prep
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Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $250
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to preparing individual income tax returns using Form 1040. Designed as a basic-level program, it walks participants through the core components of the individual return in a clear & practical manner. Participants will learn filing requirements, filing statuses & how to determine dependents. The course covers common types of income, including wages & basic investment income, along with adjustments to income, standard versus itemized deductions & commonly used tax credits. In addition, the course introduces basic reporting for self-employment & rental activity, focusing on how these items flow to the individual return. Preparer responsibilities, due diligence requirements & taxpayer rights under IRS rules are also covered to provide a strong foundational understanding of individual tax preparation. Please Note: If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab & submit to terri.storer@acpen.com
AI Prompt Engineering Masterclass for Accountants
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
An advanced guide to prompting techniques that maximize AI efficiency and precision in everyday business research, operational due diligence and accounting tasks. Designed for accountants with no prior AI knowledge, the session explores how simple language and strategic prompting can unlock powerful, layered responses from large language models (LLMs). Participants will learn to overcome the "lazy" defaults of AI, using specific techniques to enhance detail, accuracy and contextual understanding in their queries. By understanding prompt engineering's role, attendees will discover how to guide AI to provide practical, relevant and analytical insights suited to complex financial scenarios, without needing extensive technical expertise. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Retaining Top Talent: Strategies for CPA Firms
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Online
1.00 Credits
Member Price: $55
In today's challenging talent market, accounting firms face unprecedented pressure to retain their best performers. This course provides actionable, research-backed strategies to help firms keep their top talent from leaving. Based on comprehensive surveys of both current accounting professionals and those who have recently left the profession, participants will learn the real reasons employees stay or go-and what firms can do about it. The course goes beyond simple solutions like "pay more, expect less" to explore comprehensive retention strategies including whole-person compensation, work-life balance improvements, career development pathways and necessary business model transformations. Participants will discover why 73% of surveyed professionals want to stay with their current firm, yet many still leave-and how to bridge that gap. Key topics include understanding the true cost of turnover versus retention, implementing flexible work arrangements that actually work, creating meaningful career paths for non-partner track professionals and transforming firm operations to support both profitability and employee satisfaction. Special attention is given to retaining diverse talent and adapting to the expectations of younger professionals who will comprise 27% of the workforce by 2025. Whether you're a firm leader, HR professional, or manager responsible for team retention, this course provides the insights and tools needed to build a sustainable talent strategy in an evolving profession. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Analyzing Financial Statements
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
This course provides tools and insights into financial statement analysis - both quantitative and qualitative. We'll look not only at the three main financial statements but also dive into the MD&A and footnotes. We'll also discuss the affect of industry nuances on comparability of different analysis tools. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Surgent's Stock vs. Asset Acquisitions of C Corporations
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
A business conducted as a C corporation can be purchased through an asset acquisition or a stock acquisition. In an asset acquisition, the buyer purchases the business by purchasing the assets that make up the C corporation's ongoing business. In a stock acquisition, the buyer purchases the stock of the C corporation that owns all or a majority of the business assets. The seller and the buyer are usually at odds over how to structure the acquisition. Accounting and finance professionals advising their clients should be fully conversant in the tax rules that apply to stock and asset acquisitions. Discussing and explaining those rules is the focus of this course.
Surgent's Unique Tax Attributes of Different Entity Types
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
When putting together a financial plan, it is important to remember that the tax situation of the business and the individual are often intertwined. Therefore, decisions about entity type are vitally important. Practitioners need to understand not only how different entities are taxed, but also which taxes will have the greatest impact on the individual owner. In this course, we will explore when self-employment taxes apply to business income, as well as some of the lesser-known taxes that apply to flow-through entities. We will even explore when a PTE election could be helpful to a small business owner.
Cybersecurity & IT Risk for IT Auditors & Financial Auditors
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Online
3.00 Credits
Member Price: $109
This course equips financial & information technology auditors with an understanding of cybersecurity risks & their impact on financial reporting as well as cybersecurity best practices. Participants will learn to identify threats, evaluate controls & assess risk using recognized frameworks, with a focus on audit implications.
